About Me

I originally started this blog as a place to store tried and true recipes for my family. It didn't take long to discover how supportive and fun the blog community was and I became hooked! I rarely create my own recipes, but I still hope you'll enjoy the recipes that I find and tweak a bit.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Energy Bites

However, lately I've been working hard to conserve and produce as much energy as I can. I've been going to bed earlier, exercising regularly, drinking green tea and taking my vitamins. But, sometimes the weather is rainy, or my day is extra busy, and despite my best efforts I still hit that 2pm slump.

That's when you know you need a pick-me-up. I found these little energy bites on Pinterest. They were very quick to make and can be made tons of different ways. I made mine with almond butter and honey, and while I like almond butter, I think they would have been a lot better with salted peanut butter. I also wouldn't have used as much honey. You can add or subtract whatever nuts, grains, seeds or chocolate that you'd like. If you don't like it one way, be sure to try it another.

1/2 C nut butter(almond butter, peanut butter, sunflower seed butter or any other nut or seed butter. Anything will work here, but I would prefer peanut butter)1/4-1/3 C honey(I believe brown rice syrup would also work. I’m not sure of thinner sweeteners such as maple syrup and agave though as they may not hold together as well)1 C old fashioned rolled oats(you can toast for a nuttier flavor at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes)1 C shredded unsweetened coconut(you can substitute any dry ingredients for this, wheat bran or germ, oat bran, some ground flax seed(I wouldn’t recommending using an entire cup!), any kind of ground nuts or seeds. For a cookie dough type bite try adding a few tablespoon of your favorite whole grain flour)1-2 tsp vanillapinch of sea salt if using a natural nut butter with no added salt1-2 tsp your favorite spices or spice combinations (optional) I used about 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice1/2 C other addins(any kind of whole or roughly chopped nuts or seeds, dried fruit, good quality chocolate chips, etc)

Directions

In a large bowl add the nut butter, honey or other sweetener, vanilla and salt if needed. Use less vanilla if yours is very strong or more if you really enjoy the vanilla flavor and don’t buy an alcohol based kind. If all your ingredients are room temperature you should be able to stir to combine. If this is difficult you can warm in the microwave for a few seconds or even place the bowl in an inch or two hot water for a few minutes to soften everything. Once this is combined add the remaining ingredients.

In this case I used almond butter and for my addins I used equal parts sesame seeds, poppy seeds and mini chocolate chips. Mix well. Once it’s all combined place in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Then remove from the fridge, scoop out some dough and roll into a ball. I find it’s much easier, and works better to squeeze the handful together to compact it and then roll it into a ball.

If yours are too sticky you can considering adding more dry ingredients into them or rolling them in something like ground nuts, coconut, etc so they aren’t as sticky. Place the balls in an airtight container either in the fridge or freezer for quick and easy snacks.

Teresa - Oh my...we are so alike it's funny. I've been doing the same thing (going to bed early, taking vitamins, eating better, and I even quit drinking diet pop). But, I also hit that slump around 2-3pm every single day and I can't stand it!

These energy bites look awesome. The challenge is eating one and then leaving them alone :)

They look like little meatballs, Theresa...hahaha. I have tried many times to make a granola bar that would hold together and I think this might be a better idea. I like and need a little energy snack during the day.

They sound amazing and actually look like meat balls. I can always use an energy infusion to keep me on my toes, so your recipe will be put to good use around here.I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary